This metric is based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 Guidelines. It covers one of the requirements of IndicatorG4-EN28​ - 'Percentage of products sold and their packaging materials that are reclaimed by category'

The disposal of products and packaging materials at the end of a use phase is a steadily growing environmental challenge. Establishing effective recycling and reuse systems to close product cycles contributes significantly to increased material and resource efficiency. It also mitigates problems and costs related to disposal.

This Indicator provides insight into the extent to which the organization’s products, components, or materials are collected and successfully converted into useful materials for new production processes. It also provides insight into the degree to which the organization has designed products and packages capable of being recycled or reused. This measure may be a particular source of competitive differentiation in sectors facing formal requirements to recycle products and their packaging materials.

Methodology

This metric is looking for the percentage of products sold and their packaging materials that are reclaimed:

For WikiRate researchers:

Companies who align reports to GRI’s Sustainability Reporting Standards often include a GRI Content Index or Annex where GRI disclosures, with GRI codes, are listed.

Use the GRI Index, CTRL F, Command F or search button on source preview to search for this index and metrics within the report

Use G4 codes, G3 codes or keywords to quickly find values, keeping in mind that some companies report on the metric using different terms, e.g. G4-EN28 or EN28, reclaimed products or packaging

Always check the metric question and methodology for the unit of measure or currency - researchers may need to carry out calculations or conversions before entering the final metric value

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​Identify the amount of products and their packaging materials reclaimed (that is, recycled or reused) at the end of their useful life within the reporting period. Do not count rejects and recalls of products. Report recycling or reuse of packaging separately.

To calculate the percentage then use the following formula:

Reporting on this Indicator should include the following contextual information as a comment to the metric value:

​G4-EN28-a: the percentage of reclaimed products and their packaging materials for each product category